Written question asked by Charles Hendry (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures are being implemented under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to reduce instances of self-harm in young people.

Answer: Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being implemented under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to reduce instances of self-harm in young people. [161081] Ms Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently preparing guidelines for the management of self-harm in accident and emergency departments. This includes the services provided to children and young people. Once published, the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) will support local services in establishing procedures and services for people presenting at accident and emergency with self-harm. A risk assessment training package (STORM) focusing on self-harm is being piloted in two areas and in five prisons. NIMHE is supporting local mental health services in implementing the 12 points to a safer service-- developed from the work of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide--which includes recommendations for patients who self-harm.

Secondary information